Positions Vacant
- Full-time ongoing position in the Policy Division
- Located in a new Green Star rated office fit-out in Braddon ACT
- Applications close 5.00pm Friday, 21 February 2025
About the Division
The Policy Division performs a critical role in a prestigious national peak organisation, coordinating strategic policy and advocacy for the legal profession on critical issues affecting access to justice, the administration of justice, regulatory policy, rule of law and human rights.
In our work we champion the rule of law and its effective delivery as the foundation of a just legal system and aim to lead law reform and legal policy discussions with expertise at the national level. We also advocate on behalf of the Law Council’s Constituent Bodies and in turn the legal profession. Our objective is to provide the federal government and other stakeholders with balanced, respected, independent and apolitical policy positions.
The Law Council’s Policy Division is extremely fast-paced and requires dynamic, intellectual individuals with problem-solving skills and a desire to promote positive change, while defending important institutions and rights.
About the team
The Human Rights Team is responsible for legal policy development and advocacy on a wide range of legal and public policy issues. The team has responsibility for federal human rights issues (including business and human rights), First Nations people and the law, migration law, equal opportunity in the legal profession, and climate change and environmental legal issues.
About the role
The Principal Policy Lawyer is a key member of the Law Council’s Legal Policy Division, reporting directly to the General Manager of Policy. This role involves leading the Human Rights team and managing a small group of policy lawyers dedicated to this work.
While having primary responsibility in the above areas, the Principal Policy Lawyer will be expected to work in, or assist, in all areas of the Law Council’s policy endeavours. The position will also be required to work closely with the Law Council’s advisory committees, working groups, sections and Constituent Bodies. As such, this is a unique opportunity to work closely with eminent legal practitioners in relevant areas.
The Principal Policy Lawyer will have outstanding legal skills. They will have professional experience interpreting and writing about Commonwealth legislation. They will have experience working in one or more of the areas of the law for which the Human Rights team is responsible. They will have at least a working knowledge of international human rights law.
The Principal Policy Lawyer will have advanced legal research skills and high-level communication skills. The Principal Policy Lawyer will have experience managing projects and supervising junior staff members. The position also requires an advanced understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems, as well as an appreciation of key legal and public policy issues at the Commonwealth level.
This role is suitable for a legal professional who is keen to apply their advanced understanding of the Australian legal system to a venerable institution with the objective of defending and protecting the rule of law in the public interest.
Duties and responsibilities
- Leading the Human Rights team of the Policy Division.
- Analysing legal and public policy issues and providing advice to the General Manager of Policy on balanced, respected, independent and apolitical policy options for the Law Council to adopt and advocate.
- Communicating and presenting information in writing and orally in a clear, logical and insightful way. Adapts communication to the knowledge, experience and expectations of the audience.
- Managing relationships and working with the Law Council’s advisory committees, working groups, sections and Constituent Bodies to develop comprehensive policy positions and on frequent submissions.
- Researching and drafting papers and submissions to governments and non-government about current legislative or policy initiatives within set timeframes.
- Monitoring the domestic and international environment to identify issues likely to have an impact on the Australian legal profession or areas of the Law Council’s policy focus.
- Monitoring the domestic and international environment to identify issues likely to have an impact on the Australian legal profession or areas of the Law Council’s policy focus.
- Developing and strengthening relationships with governments and stakeholders.
- Representing the Law Council at meetings with governments and non-government organisations.
- Preparing briefings for/participating in Parliamentary and external inquiry hearings.
- Drafting speeches, media releases, articles, and briefings for the Law Council and external publications.
- Preparing correspondence for Law Council office holders and senior managers.
- Reporting to the Law Council Directors on matters affecting the Australian legal profession.
- Managing specific proactive policy development and broader projects as determined by the Law Council.
- Enhances own strengths and addresses weaknesses. Maintains a continuous improvement approach to individual and team work.
- Other duties as required.
Selection criteria
- A bachelor’s degree in law or policy development as a minimum. Post-graduate qualifications are considered highly desirable. Candidates who have been admitted to legal practice in Australia will be preferred.
- Advanced legal research, policy, and advocacy skills and demonstrated experience in advanced statutory interpretation.
- Professional experience interpreting and writing about Commonwealth legislation.
- A strong knowledge of several of the following areas of the law: international human rights law, anti-discrimination law, migration law, First Nations people and the law, administrative law, and climate change and the law.
- High-level written and oral communication skills.
- Strategic and innovative problem-solving skills. Proven ability to develop responses to complex legal and policy issues.
- A high level of understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems, particularly at the Commonwealth level.
- The ability to work within tight deadlines, independently and minimal supervision.
- Strong and consistent work ethic and demonstrated ability to foster a positive, collaborative, and team-oriented workplace culture.
- A focus on quality and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated project and staff management skills, including a demonstrated ability to lead and manage a small team.
- At least seven years’ post-admission experience in legal practice and/or legal policy work.
- Must be Canberra-based to allow collaborative work.
How to apply
After carefully reviewing the duties and responsibilities within the Position Description, applicants should outline their suitability and interest in the role, and submit an application together with a cover letter (maximum one page), responses to Selection Criteria (maximum three pages) and current CV to daniel.sybaczynskyj@lawcouncil.au by 5.00pm Friday, 21 February 2025.
The Law Council is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. First Nations candidates are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.
- Full-time ongoing position in the Policy Division
- Located in a new Green Star rated office fit-out in Braddon ACT
- Applications close 5.00pm Friday, 21 February 2025
About the Division
The Policy Division performs a critical role in a prestigious national peak organisation, coordinating strategic policy and advocacy for the legal profession on critical issues affecting access to justice, the administration of justice, regulatory policy, rule of law and human rights.
In our work we champion the rule of law and its effective delivery as the foundation of a just legal system and aim to lead law reform and legal policy discussions with expertise at the national level. We also advocate on behalf of the Law Council’s Constituent Bodies and in turn the legal profession. Our objective is to provide the federal government and other stakeholders with balanced, respected, independent and apolitical policy positions.
The Law Council’s Policy Division is extremely fast-paced and requires dynamic, intellectual individuals with problem-solving skills and a desire to promote positive change, while defending important institutions and rights.
About the role
Reporting to the Deputy-General Manager of Policy, the Senior Policy Lawyer is responsible for preparing papers and submissions and managing projects on critical law reform and public policy issues. While having primary responsibility in Criminal and National Security Law, the Senior Policy Lawyer will be expected to work in, or assist, in all areas of the Law Council’s policy endeavours.
The position will also be required to work closely with the Law Council’s advisory committees, working groups, sections, and Constituent Bodies. The Senior Policy Lawyer will be primarily responsible for providing secretariat support to the Law Council’s National Criminal Law Committee and National Security Working Group. As such, this is a unique opportunity to work closely with eminent legal practitioners in these areas.
The Senior Policy Lawyer will have advanced legal research skills and high-level communication skills. The Senior Policy Lawyer will also have the ability to manage projects and to supervise junior staff members if required. The position also requires a solid understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems and an appreciation of key legal and public policy issues at the Commonwealth level.
In recent years, this role has had a focus on proposals for new Commonwealth criminal offences particularly where they involve an extension of criminal liability and/or strict liability; statutory reviews of aspects of Australia’s counter-terrorism framework; sentencing issues including mandatory sentencing; reforms to criminal procedure at the Commonwealth level and powers of Federal law enforcement and intelligence gathering agencies.
Duties and responsibilities
- Analysing legal and public policy issues and drafting advice on balanced, respected, independent and apolitical policy options for the Law Council to adopt and advocate.
- Communicating and presenting information in writing and orally in a clear, logical, and insightful way. Adapts communication to the knowledge, experience and expectations of the audience.
- Managing relationships and working with the Law Council’s advisory committees, working groups, Sections and Constituent Bodies to develop comprehensive policy positions.
- Researching and drafting papers and submissions to governments and non-government about current legislative or policy initiatives within set timeframes.
- Monitoring the domestic and international environment to identify issues likely to have an impact on the Australian legal profession or areas of the Law Council’s policy focus.
- Assisting in the developing and strengthening of relationships with governments and stakeholders.
- Representing the Law Council at meetings with governments and non-government organisations.
- Preparing briefings for/participating in Parliamentary and external inquiry hearings.
- Drafting speeches, media releases, articles, and briefings for the Law Council and external publications.
- Preparing and assisting with correspondence for Law Council office holders and senior managers.
- Reporting to the Law Council Directors on matters affecting the Australian legal profession.
- Managing proactive policy development projects as determined by the Law Council.
- Takes responsibility for timely delivery of individual and team outcomes.
- Enhances own strengths and addresses weaknesses. Maintains a continuous improvement approach to individual and team work.
- Supervising staff as required.
- Other duties as required.
Selection criteria
- An Australian bachelor’s degree in law as a minimum. Postgraduate qualifications are considered highly desirable. Candidates who have been admitted to legal practice in Australia will be preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to access to justice and rule of law issues and solutions.
- Strong understanding in legal policy and/or legal practice experience in criminal law and/or national security.
- Demonstrated experience in advanced statutory interpretation. Advanced legal research, policy, and advocacy skills.
- High-level written and oral communication skills.
- Strategic and innovative problem solving skills. Proven ability to develop responses to complex legal and policy issues.
- A high level of understanding of Australia’s legal and political systems.
- Demonstrated ability to manage conflicting priorities and to work within tight deadlines, independently and with minimal supervision.
- Strong and consistent work ethic and demonstrated ability to foster a positive, collaborative, and team-oriented workplace culture.
- A focus on quality and attention to detail.
- Four to five years’ post-admission experience in legal practice and/or legal policy work.
- Must be Canberra-based to allow collaborative work.
How to apply
After carefully reviewing the duties and responsibilities within the Position Description, applicants should outline their suitability and interest in the role, and submit an application together with a cover letter (maximum one page), responses to Selection Criteria (maximum three pages) and current CV to daniel.sybaczynskyj@lawcouncil.au by 5.00pm Friday, 21 February 2025.
The Law Council is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. First Nations candidates are encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability.
- Full-time ongoing position
- Manage a close knit team
- Located in a new Green Star rated office fit-out in Braddon ACT
- Copy of the Position Description
- Applications close 5.00pm Monday, 24 February 2025
About the Division
The Corporate Services Division is responsible for all operational aspects of the Law Council of Australia including financial management, IT systems, human resource management, workplace health and safety and building maintenance. The Division is responsible for providing the organisation with the means to enable it to complete tasks in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
About the Role
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Senior Accountant will lead a small team in assisting with specific accounting functions, financial information, tax compliance, payroll administration, end-of-year reporting and audit, as well as general financial administration.
The Senior Accountant will provide secretariat support for the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and assist the management of the Risk Management Schedule.
Duties
Management
- Lead, manage, and mentor a small team, including overseeing the work of the Assistant Accountant and daily accounting operations.
Finance & Compliance
- Implement and manage policies for accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and financial ledgers.
- Oversee end-of-month/year processes, budget reporting, and performance analysis.
- Ensure compliance with FBT, Income Tax, Payroll Tax, Workers Compensation, BAS, and other statutory returns.
- Oversee the reconciliation of membership subscriptions, and event registrations.
- Manage fixed asset accounting.
Reporting & Audits
- Prepare monthly financial management reports including variance analysis and reporting.
- Develop new financial metrics to enhance the quality of the financial reporting.
- Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and forecasts.
- Liaise with the auditors to ensure all audit requests are met in a timely fashion to allow the annual audit to be completed with required timeframes.
Risk Management & General Administration
- Develop and maintain the Financial Risk Management Plan.
- Assist with Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee meetings.
- Support additional tasks as directed by the Chief Operating Officer.
Selection Criteria
- Qualifications: Tertiary accounting qualifications and membership with a professional accounting body with 3-5 years’ experience.
- Skills & Experience: Strong financial systems, reporting, payroll, taxation, and financial management skills, with demonstrated experience in preparing monthly financial management reports.
- Competencies: Strong organisational, communication, and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure and with minimal supervision.
- Desirable: Exposure to Sage Intacct or similar accounting package is advantageous along with advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
How to Apply
To apply for the position, please send a copy of your CV and a response to the Selection Criteria by COB Monday, 24 February 2025 to John Cattle, Chief Operating Officer, via email, john.cattle@lawcouncil.au.
Last Updated on 30/01/2025
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